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The Fourth of July - 2009

Preceding the 4th of July this year, we learned of many deaths in theworld of sports and entertainment. We saw political figures disgracethemselves with lies; and betrayal to their spouses and to other individuals whotrusted them.We saw a man put in prison for 150 years for cheating people out ofbillions of dollars.We saw Iran struggle with its elections; a nation that has a history ofprotest - disruption and instability since their democracy was taken away fromthem in 1953.We've read about our troops leaving parts of Iraq; not coming home -moving into Afghanistan - more bloodshed and turmoil.We've seen decisions made that will ultimately burden the Americanpeople with higher taxes; eliminating needed services and benefits.We've somehow become confused with the media news as it being 'gospel'or 'accurate' - failing to realize that the people who are paid huge salaries toreport the news, are going to only report what will bring viewership for theiradvertisers - no matter how trivial or how violent.We've started to lose some of those beliefs - today, I needed to find afew patriotic songs; songs that helped me remember that most of America's'average people' are good; kind, and caring.If you'll click this link (below); listen, and start remembering thatwe are a nation of good; that we do have virtues, and we must not yield topropaganda or information that is hyped in the media or twisted bypoliticians.I wish you a Happy 4th of July - another year of independence, and thecourage and commitment to stay strong.Now the music that helped me through this day:http://www.playlist.com/playlist/16998107915

To SHUT OFF the music, CLICK the icon at the TOP/LEFT - it looks like this: II

I'm 67 years old; a classical music major, but the energy of these people amazes me!

I tried to think of the people who've displayed an amazing zest for music and dancing. I thought of Tina Turner; she and I are both born on November 26.

I thought of Elvis; how he changed the concept of 'rock and roll'.

Then my children brought home Michael Jackson music; I saw his videos and realized another generation of talent; zest and genius was also born.

Elvis started out as a poor young boy; Michael the same, and Tina's history of poverty in her early years all showed me that the powerful drive to succeed in their love of music, gave them a strength to overcome 'all odds'.

I only put four videos on this blog; four people who started with little in the way of money or comfort; all four found their life in their music, and thrilled millions with their talent.

Shut off the music on this blog - temporarily - and watch those videos.

Start the music; listen to Josh Groban - a beautiful voice, but he'll never be remembered for firing up the millions with an energy that is inside all of us; all of us who've known poverty, and found our solace in the rhythm of music - the power of dance, and the joy of singing to the top of our lungs.

I know what my piano has done for me; what my ability to sing has given me, and how I seek it when all else fails me - the power of music in any form, gives us a reason to go forward in life; to meet the challenges of another day.....

This man lives in Detroit, Michigan (my home state).........

I enjoy both poetry and prose - I consider his writings to be 'poetic prose'. While he calls himself the 'walking man', I'd call him 'the thinking man' (maybe he thinks while he walks), but whatever he thinks, he manages to write in a very brief and effective style.

If you can get bloglines installed; it's free and ever so easy to keep track of your rss feeds. No doubt, you can type into Google and just use bloglines as a search word; sign up for free, and it's much more efficient than bookmarking everying.

I enjoy looking at the Smitten Kitchen web-site; love the Mayo Clinic web-site so I can get just about anything I want to know, and love my rss feed to Consumers Report - all of theses are easily found through Google.

As I think of more neat sites, I'll update this and when I can grab the links, I'll add them...........

How I unwind and sleep when I'm not traveling or camping out!

I play Hearts on line for about 40 games; chess for about 20 games - wear my brain out, then listen to The Food Network; some PBS, start to wind down with a cup of warm milk, and listen to this play-list all night long:

I hope you won't find this blog so boring it puts you to sleep...welcome!

A couple new blogs........

My friend Jessica and I have had problems with our thyroid and adrenal fatigue; we've located some good ideas and shared our own experiences on this subject.

I also have CFS which I've kept in pretty good 'check' by eating vegetarian. I do very well by making an avocado sandwich using 12-grain bread; eating a side of cottage cheese and tomatoes. I think lots of water and keep sugar to a minimum. I learned that fruit juices can upset the balance of the system, so I've switched to vegetable juicing and V8 juices.

I do my best to keep the things I think are negative on different blogs so people don't have to plow through a host of posts and sort through my days of bad disposition or my opinions that might be considered argumentative.

Overall, I prefer to remain as positive and helpful as I can, but like everyone I do blow off steam now and again.

It's November 18, 6:21 p.m. - PCT Time - a note from me!

I've got about 31 blogs; most are 'fixed' - they have a purpose and theme, and I'm not much of a 'chatter-box' (at least not on the I-net), so I don't 'log in' daily (or even weekly).

I do write very long and frequent e-mails to those I love and trust. Friends, family, and my 'cyberspace buddies' who all have something interesting and intelligent to say (at least I think so).

I hope you'll visit MY CHRISTMAS BLOG - I think you'll love the music; photo slide show, and a few pictures that I've put there. Again, I don't write much on that blog - it's just a way to tune into music - see something pretty and seasonal, so now's the time to check out that link.

As the year ends, I must say I've had the most wonderful e-mails from such extraordinary bloggers!

Know what? I get more from those individuals all over the world, who speak the truth; delight me with their optimism, kindness, and joy, than I get from my rss feeds from the main-stream media!

I'm beginning to think that MSM posts only what they think will 'gain them points' for readership! I wonder -are they being paid for the number of 'clicks' - the number of 'commentaries'????

I'm constantly inspired by those INDIVIDUALS who put in those hours of sharing experiences; ideas, and solutions to a myriad of problems that beset millions of people, and who gain absolutely NOTHING in the way of $$$$ compensation.

For me I only subscribe to blogs that have little or NO advertising on them because I know that their HEART AND CONVICTION is what causes them to spend hours sharing information and giving guidance and enlightenment to the millions of us who CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER.

To Johanna in Vancouver; to Heidi - to Stephanie; to Ron, Wayne, Richard, Thorne, Tom - Richard - my goodness how I love YOUR BLOGS and look forward to not only your comments and ideas, but to knowing YOU ARE LIVING FAR FROM ME AND ARE COPING WITH, OR THRIVING, BECAUSE YOU CARE ABOUT EACH AND EVERY HUMAN BEING IN THIS WORLD!

To 'Betmo' - I love your e-mails; your posts - music/photography, video selections and as you put it so well in an e-mail to me:

"I'm not always right, but I'm always honest!" I think this statement sums up exactly what I'm looking for when I take the time to read a blog or a web-site. I think Betmo hit the nail on the head for thousands of us; she's one sharp young lady who's lived more than 9 lives during her 36 years or so.

Carlos - so far from me; always positive - darling young man - we've been almost a year 'together', and we both celebrate our birthdays on November 26; you turn 24, I turn 67 - we are 2 generations 'apart' yet BONDED in our love of human-kind.

Richard Jehn and Thorne - how would I ever pass a day without your posts on the RAG BLOG!

There's a guy named Tom who's my son's age; he lives in up-state New York; a smart guy. There's Joe; about my age - and he keeps me excited by his never-ending entries so full of wisdom and humor.

Stephanie in Denmark; Lynn in California - Ron in Delaware; Wayne (almost Ron's neighbor). My dearest buddy Bruce Allen aka Alan who lives in Missouri who works long hours; helps his mom, and NEVER misses a day without writing to me!

I am amazed at the power and love of those who write to me; who notice Irarely post; rarely allow a 'comment box', so they PURSUE BEYOND, and reach mevia my e-mails; they persist because they care! These kinds of people I reallytrust and believe in!

Igor in France. Joland in Holland. Carlos in the Philippines. Caroline in Malysia.......

My goodness the power of their spirits keep my own spirit vital!

Me - just an old lady who continues to believe in PEOPLE POWER - around theworld. When I see it, it makes my heart just sing. When I get a wonderful e-mailin the 'inbox', I cherish it because someone thought of me; took the time towrite and 'share'. What energy this gives me - better than 'Geritol', is'genuine'......

Also, I think this man (who I believe is in his 70's now), really provides a wonderful service to his 600-plus readers - here's the link:

Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world

A few days ago, I had a long email exchange with a friend of mine, who seemed genuinely surprised that I had walked away from my previous career and committed to writing The Simple Dollar (and similar things) full time.

I truly enjoyed many aspects of my previous job. That job gave me some seriously stressful moments, but it also gave me a ton of room for exploration and personal growth, and the challenges were always diverse and interesting and the people I worked with were spectacular - I still talk to many of them.

Yet I walked away from it. Why?

On the surface, it’s easy to just point at my family and say that they were the reason I made this difficult choice. Undoubtedly, the ability to spend more time with my children played into that decision. During the period of time when I was maintaining The Simple Dollar and working full time at my previous job, I felt like I had very little time at all to spare.

But after several months, I’ve come to believe my reason for changing gears was something else entirely.

Ever since I was a very little boy, I’ve dreamed about being a writer. I loved the idea of putting words down on paper - constructing sentences and paragraphs and chapters - and having it mean something. My dearest dream for many, many years was to write a “Great American Novel” - one that genuinely touched the lives of many of the people that read it.

I spent much of my late childhood and early adulthood digging deep into those “books that changed the world” - titles like Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe and The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.

But, after some flailing attempts at getting stories published and a few bouts of serious disillusionment, I came to accept that this dream of writing something profound was not going to happen. I chose a different career path - one that latched on to some of my other talents - and went with it.

All along the way, though, I kept feeling like there was something big missing from everything I was doing. I could never put my finger on it, but I could sense it at times. I’d feel it when I’d help out a friend. I’d feel it when I had an opportunity to explain something and then see that brightening in the other person’s face as they understood it.

Eventually, I came to believe that there was something I was supposed to be doing with my life. I just didn’t know what it was yet.

This is the important part of the story, I think. Whenever I have a conversation with friends or with readers, I often find that people have an innate sense that there is some purpose they have in life, but often they haven’t quite figured out what that purpose is yet. And they’re flailing. They’re following a path that they think they should be following, but often it’s not the path that leads them towards what they know they should be doing.

Eventually, this sense led me to trying many different things in my life. I started volunteering more, and now I serve on a community group that keeps me very busy with volunteer work. I had children, and they provide a constant opportunity for me to teach and interact.

And I turned back to writing. The internet provided me with plenty of opportunity to work on my writing, and I tried several different things over the years - contributing articles to a fledgling competitor to Wikipedia, starting a few different blogs, selling a few pieces of writing, and other things.

Eventually, the pieces fell together with The Simple Dollar. I’m compelled almost every day to write a hefty dose of words, for starters. More importantly, though, the words help people. I’m not merely writing for the sake of tossing out words - the words are sticking somewhere.

I don’t know if The Simple Dollar is what my “mission” in life is, but in many ways it feels far closer than anything else I’ve ever done in my life. I would have never found it, either, if I had given up the search and been content with my career path. I’m not done searching, either - there are new directions and new ideas and new things that I feel compelled to try.

I do know this much: I feel called to communicate and connect with people via writing, to use that writing to share what I’ve learned and encourage others to grow in what they know. I also believe that everyone has some sort of calling within them - some people find it, some people spend their life searching for it, and others simply give up the search and stay content with their lot in life.

Here’s another profound thought: I think that many people who have given up the search for what they’re meant to do are hurt by it, and they cover up that hurt through buying things. An upper middle class lifestyle offers enough material comfort to cover up for many, many little internal challenges, after all.

What can you take out of this story? Don’t give up on your dreams. If there’s something inside of you that pokes at you regularly, telling you that you should be doing something different in your life, don’t ignore it. Explore it. Use your spare time to find what that little voice is telling you and chase it hard. Don’t let your own doubts or the doubts of the people around you hold you back.

Let me know if I’m way out in left field with this one. Do you sometimes feel a sense within you that you have a mission in life, too? Have you found that mission? Or am I just drawing conclusions without warrant? Let the discussion flow in the comments.

Just click below 'one of the best play-lists'...and listen. Enjoy. Diane

This is the person I admire the most - in my life-time....

Visit this site; click this replica of one of their first publications.

I don't finish my day, without reading this site - they go back to 1966 - 42 years ago; they speak the truth - sort the b.s. from what is vital, so I urge you to join me as you keep abreast of what REALLY is important to the citizens of the U.S.A.

I found MORE Elvis music at this link. Enjoy.

Elvis's interview - he was just 21 - in his memory.

My parents taught us how to cultivate the ground; be kind to the 'earth'...

It's possible most farmers (as we were) learned at a very young age, how to not pollute the earth - to compost; to recycle, and to maintain the precious balance because our harvest depended on how we cooperated with nature.

Normally I don't put any advertising on a blog, but I did find two 'widgets' that help bring the message I so strongly believe in, to this site without my having to make journal entries on the subject.

My sister (Barb) has also started a blog that focuses on taking care of the world we live in - being conscientious about what we do each day, so it will be a better place for future generations.

From time-to-time, I'll share other information I find on the web or learn about from my local news.

The weather in our area....

WE'RE TAKING THE MOTOR-HOME FOR A TRIP...

While we're away enjoying cooler temperatures in the mountains, we're going to not only miss the chance to 'post' on the 'blah blah' things we think about, but the COMEDY CLUB play-list I built about 6 months ago. If you're in the mood for some laughs; want to save money on gasoline to find a night-club, and don't want to pay a cover charge or for expensive drinks, CLICK THIS PHOTO - grab your favorite refreshment from the refrigerator, and put your feet up. You can laugh in your night-shirt; bath-robe, or birthday suit, and no bouncer will put you out on the street. Have a super July & August - for us, these 120 degree days are just way too much for our old bodies and bones. Diane & Rick

Well, since we have an SUV, we opted for the free bag of chips!

FREE BAG OF CHIPS AND SUV WITH FILL UP...only in 2008!

PLEASE GET INVOLVED WITH AMERICA - HERE'S ONE WAY:

Dear Friends,Finally, there's a bill in Congress that would help some of the hardest hit Katrina survivors come back home. Unfortunately, it is about to die because some members of the Senate think it's fine for certain New Orleanians--specifically those who are Black and poor--to be shut out of the city.

I just called on my senators to support the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act of 2007 (S. 1668). It would re-open desperately needed housing and make sure there is no loss of affordable public housing in New Orleans. Please join me by contacting your senators and check out powerful videos about the housing situation in New Orleans created by Brave New Foundation and as part of the Voices from the Gulf Project. It takes just a moment:http://www.colorofchange.org/s1668/?id=2424-635244

Saving Affordable Housing in New Orleans:New Orleans public housing residents have been fighting for over two years to return to apartments that were minimally damaged by the storm. But the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has shut them out, because it wants to demolish most of the available public housing units. Its plan is replace them with far fewer mixed-income housing units[1], which would force thousands of mostly Black low-income residents out of the city.

S.1668 honors the right to return of all New Orleans public housing residents. It requires the re-opening of at least 3,000 public housing units and ensures that there is no net loss of units available and affordable to public housing residents. It also designates $1.7 billion for rental housing assistance and earmarks millions for community development programs, which will benefit an even larger segment of the lower income population. But the bill is in danger of dying -- because some senators are opposed to preserving affordable public housing.

It's hard to know what motivates each senator, but it's an open secret that many folks have a desire to see a richer and Whiter post-Katrina New Orleans, and many of them have a great deal of political influence. Senators like David Vitter (La.) and Richard Shelby (Al.) appear to be playing to those interests by standing in the way of this legislation, and others are following their lead. If they win, it will be yet another instance of the federal government abandoning those most vulnerable during and after Katrina.

The Gulf Coast needs a housing policy that welcomes all citizens home, especially those who need the most help coming home. Senate bill 1668 is an opportunity to do that. Please join us in demanding that your senator support the bill.

Rick and his grandaughter - Rick is 70 in this picture.

A sign of our RECESSIVE TIMES - 2008!

And now we near another election - 2008!

My youngest sister, Barb

Barb picked this link to add to her web-site; I love it too.

My sister located this site; a woman who paints and draws the faces of those who've served us in the military. The video I viewed featured only the portraits of those who had died as they protected our country. I wasn't able to determine if she paints portraits of those who are still living, but would like to think she's commissioned to do so at times.

She doesn't charge for those paintings; she gives them to the families of our fallen soldiers, and it has brought a certain peace to each of those who've received them as gifts.

It's a beautiful video and tribute - you can find many more videos at this same location after you've seen a talented lady at work.

Do visit this web-site - you might also think of what you could do in your community, to possibly show your appreciation and concern for those who are not only protecting our country, but the many who bring security to our neighborhoods by being part of our police force.

There are many 'heroes' we don't think of as often as we probably should; the doctors and nurses who are on call all hours of the day and night, to answer those emergencies. The firemen and women who are ready to fight any fire, and rescue those in danger.

We currently see the many fires in California, but often while we're relaxing or sleeping, do we remind ourselves there are hundreds of fire-fighters working long hours; tiring hours, as they stand in the face of danger?

Many times I pick up something at an all-night market; as I drive away, I think about those bright lights - that individual who just checked me out; gave me a smile, and is putting in their night on tired feet, just so I can get that bottle of milk I need.

We have people working to keep the I-net up and running; our phone services are available to us 24/7 - the trucker drives round the clock to insure we have food in our stores and gasoline to put into our automobiles.

It is the simple common people doing that not so common job, that need to be remembered with a smile - a compliment, and we can feel fortunate to live in a country where there is an abundance of devoted citizens and cooperative caring individuals.

I'm very glad to be an American.

Diane

You know, I was trained in CLASSICAL PIANO, but you need to

CLICK THIS PICTURE to hear the sounds of the music that speaks for the souls of those who've probably had little formal education, but have been EDUCATED in the reality of life. Today my cousin sent me her book about her years as a child. She talked about how poor she was (as was I). She talked about the fried egg and Velveeta-Cheese sandwiches - boy, were they good (her mom made them for us all). We'd have tomato soup and those sandwiches; laugh with her mom, and notice that her mother's bad vericose veins were bulging; that her mom had them wrapped with old rags, so she could gather the eggs; help milk the cows, and bring in the fresh corn from the garden in the summer. My cousin wore her older brother's hand-me-downs; we just thought she was a 'Tom-Boy'. Sue-Ann (my cousin) didn't get her first store-bought dress until she was 10 (I was 8). I had an out-house and no electricity. Sue-Ann's dad was a tenant farmer, so he was lucky to get placed where they had indoor plumbing. We played in the hay-mow; we climbed in the trees; we gathered mushrooms from the woods - we had a special life that to me (now) is a dream - a joy; and while she still lives in that tiny town near where she grew up, I've lived in 9 states; traveled all 50 states - had 3-piece suit 'jobs' and a wonderful career. Still I long to see the green trees of Michigan, but now live in the desert where I still see the mountains, but seldom hear the birds - never hear an owl, and will never smell the odor of fresh-mown hay or taste sweet-corn picked fresh from the garden. Memories; joys - we must harvest them and save them as we did those tomatoes when we canned them for the winter. Peas for the summer - fresh; peas for the winter (canned) - ever so sweet like our memories. Someone once said that they'd been rich and they'd been poor - rich was better. For me, poor taught me how to survive; how to appreciate, and in these times of RECESSION, I'm glad I learned from those hard-ships. I'm also glad you stopped by. Diane

If you never do another thing for yourself, spend 2 hours watching this!

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/main.htmBlogs are fun most of the time. Life is fun most of the time. When those few times come that cause us grief; when we cry - when we wonder why, and don't understand the current government (or lack thereof) - when we are trying to determine who we should vote for in November of 2008, remember what we've endured with the current administration.GWB and cronies should be 'locked up' - more than that, they should be made to pay for their crimes the same way Saddam Hussein did!Old man Bush and Noriega - the same.This video will give you the insight and truth - do not fail yourself; I'm 66 years old - I've never 'failed me', and never will. I know what is true; what is fantasy, and am saddened to realize what our USA has come to.I wasn't going to even mention this on this blog, but my conscience won't let me rest, unless I do.Diane

I fly the flag every day - today is the 4th of July,

and this same FLAG is proudly waving on another blog of mine. If you want to see where I live; what we enjoy each day, and where we travel most often, CLICK THE FLAG - it's a pretty place to visit I think. Diane

I, Diane, the offical BLOG-BUSTER, award to Larry

the King and Master of all blogs! July 12, 2008

A very helpful web-site; solid discussions on issues that affect all of us.

There's always something to be learned at this site; I like the fact they bring solid facts that have been researched, for my benefit - for anyone's benefit, in this modern world.

From the economy to ecology; to ideology, it's all there.

Yes, I'm that old - from 78 RPM, to 45 to LP's, to tape, to cassette, to CD's!!!

I'm almost 66 years old; love to dance, and have kept a slender figure by dancing to rock and roll and disco. CLICK THIS RECORD, and you'll get some upbeat music so you can work out at home. Save $20 on an exercise musical CD - this is free! Diane

This is how a good woman thinks......

Just as a mother-in-waiting has her bag packedWaiting beside the front doorThe layette for her preciousIs folded carefullyShe'll make certain herWill is also accurate...updated...And the dress she'll wearWhen she's laid in her casketWill be as neatly pressedAs the laceOn her new-born'sReceiving blanket.

Written by me; sent in an e-mail on 7/17/2008.

﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿

I don't post as often as some bloggers...

I'm much more chatty in real life; however, I never start my day without music. In fact, unless we have a power outage (or I'm out where there's 'no power'), music is playing (or I'm playing it on my piano).

One thing I really like is music before I fall asleep. If you'd like to listen to some pretty restful sounds and melodies, go to http://journeytosleep.blogspot.com/, and you'll find some wonderful soothing music that will calm you.

I've added a tab called 'Bird Radio' - you can add the sounds of birds - kind of nice I think.

There are links to 2 gentlemen who are well-known speakers. Dr. Wayne Dyer, and Allen Watts deliver both inspiring messages, as well as sharing some of the chants and mantras used for meditation.

I've added the methods I used (and still use) to get a restful slumber, so hike on over if you want to wind down and relax a bit.

Oh, and how about a question with a 'corny' answer before you go:

How do you catch a bird? "Unique' upon them...

And speaking of a bird, that bluebird right below this entry is going to bring you a bit of happiness too.....

Diane

The text IN RED, is from their web-site. I love reading their stories.

Milblogging.com currently has 2,040 military blogs in 38 countries with 5,421 registered members.

Do yourself a favor, and if you're concerned about how little we get to read in the news (or watch on television) about our loyal soldiers, check the link on Third Time's A Charm - then hook up to the entire military blog listing from his individual blog.

WANT MORE DISCO MUSIC? CLICK THIS LINK - ENJOY!

CLICK THE PIANO KEYS - 9 HOURS OF GREAT MUSIC!

I've put together over 5,000 songs on various play-lists. I guess that tells you how much I love music! I hope you enjoy this particular selection. Diane

Taking a vacation from 'blogging'...

Time to do some traveling; get outside, and enjoy the swimming pool and the mountains. You can always e-mail me (I'll check those once a week) at kcir114112@cmaaccess.com Have a 'super summer'. Post Script: Man, take a few days off, and look at the people who show up! Obama! Lucky Luciano! Hmmm - guess I'll have to peek in more often....Diane

Music I'd like to hear at a night-club; nice and easy.

I was fortunate to see these artists 'live and in living color'. Easy listening; peaceful, not classical, but provoking thought. CLICK THESE APPLE BLOSSOMS, and listen. No, there won't be the song 'I'll be with you in Apple Blossom Time'. Diane

The music you'll hear on this blog, is pretty

much piano and classical. All my blogs have music - different genre; all last 8 to 12 hours. If you don't want to read, just 'tune in' - diminish my 'blah, blah', and go surfing elsewhere. Enjoy. Diane

Here are 3 pictures of our 3 televisions.

I can stand very little that is programmed on television. In 1971 I gave our huge t.v. to the Kalamazoo State Hospital. I saw my children watching it instead of participating in life. After that, no television ever dominated our home! The picture you see (actually 3), shows the 3 we have in 2008. On top of one you'll see a beautiful framed card from my youngest son (Kevin) for Mom's Day. You'll see candles; a lucite etching of a cat that was once in the likeness of Kevin's cat who died December of 2007. Then you'll see the one in the computer room. It serves well as a place to put family photos - ones of the grandkids. The smallest and in our bedroom is shown with a tiny t.v.; a bigger speaker, so I can have music, and that's about it! I watch PBS - great programming and no commercials. I watch Turner Classic Movies because I cherish those movies that were 'song and dance', and happy in their theme. I watch TBS - 'very funny' and it is with minimal commercials. I watch FOOD NETWORK - I add to my collection of recipes, and don't add to the violence that besets our media. I watch HISTORY channel, and DISCOVERY channel. That's it - we pay for nearly 100 channels; I watch less than 10, but that's the way it goes in 2008. Diane

What a tease I am, right? I tell you I like jokes...

mention there's a random feed for you, and then I sneak the jokes to the very bottom of this blog (on the side-bar). There, I feel better not having you waste your time searching, and kill your wireless mouse in the process. Oh yes - do you like GREAT JAZZ music? Click this picture of me and Doug McClure, and you'll find 100 super songs waiting for you. Diane

I'm calling it DDE - Diane's Diary Entries.

Boy, was I amazed at the price of making your own cookbook (complete with familiy photos) that Food Network announced today! $40 for 100 recipes! Hey, back in 1991, Ardath Rodale, CEO & publisher of PREVENTION MAGAZINE, sent me the most beautiful letter. She told me she LOVED MY 'LOOK-COOK-BOOK'. I rhymed each and every family member's name. I assigned recipes to each of them. I added photos. Almost 20 years later, Food Network wants you to 'make your own book with recipes and photos', and they charge you $40 to create it. Well guess what - I made mine on 2 blogs; I printed them - I put them in $1.99 ring binders, and inserted an 8x10 photo into the 'slip' the notebook had for a single photo (or any type of identification), and mailed it to family and friends. I've had so many compliments about how each recipient uses that cook-book. They can add their own. They 3-hole punch any recipe they want, and insert it where they want it. Hey, Food Network, we can do it ourselves. If you want an example of what I've created from some of my own award-winning CHILI RECIPES, hit the journal that shows you my 'thumb', and you'll get some of the best recipes that I've created...complete with family photos of our 'critters'. To me, it's 'THUMBS UP' to making our own for about 10% the cost of buying into the Food Network idea, and THUMBS DOWN to wasting money. Learn to 'do it yourself'. Regards, Diane

DIANE'S DIARY ENTRIES Saves time...

I was reading a magazine dated May, 2000, this morning. I didn't realize the soft-drink industry was a $65,000,000,000 industry! When I calculate the cost of those high-cost drinks (and some cost out to be $10 to $12/gallon), I can't fathom this American consumer! The author of the article says, "The soft-drink industry is like the fashion industry". "It is a fickle industry - you never know how quickly consumers will get tired of something." I'd say we've spent our way right into this recession; our wasteful ways and our demands for every single new gizmo that hits the market, has made us rich with 'stuff', and poor in savings and creating our own financial dilemma in so many cases. It's time to 'JUST SAY NO' to spending and to our kids who are begging for cars when they turn 16. Say 'no', and start saying yes to securing your own household against the coming trials our nation will continue to experience. You must take control; become your own leader, and eliminate the temptation to buy. That's my diary entry for the month ending July. Diane

Thank you, Nancy! It doesn't get any better than this!

Nancy sent this link to me - for the 4th, it's what I needed - it will bring tears of joy to your eyes! Click this flag & eagle; listen to the tribute to our country!

A poem & e-mail to my daughter after the passing of a loved one....

Today I walked among the treesLulled by the music of the birdsCaressed by the soft,Warm summer's breezeLife and death - both join the moist morning airI am 'linked' - ever so inter-twinedNo life is without purposeNo death without some despairThe warm soft earth beckons my returnit's black; it's soft - comforting is the sodIt holds the roots of the Redwood;It will hold me safe when I return to GodNo one breaks the chain of lifeThe cycle that endsWith a new beginningNo one decides who loses the battle to breatheNo one declares (but God) who isWinningSo, I beckon the morning; walk upon this humid sodI'll pass through that portal - farther from my home-landBut closer to the hand of God.Yes, this is the God that some define;Others just accept...some require no definitionBut one thing they all have in common..........all of them, have wept.

Love, Mom

One of the many poems I've written in my life.

My friend painted this; now I own it. It's called BUDDHA-BEING

Robin Urton is the artist - she's one of a kind...

I've compiled about FOUR HOURS of Alan Watts' speeches and his philosophy.

I love listening to him speak about nature; about the beginning - the future, and how he saw life.

I'm beginning to think I'm a Buddhist without knowing it....

I made a blog in tribute to Billy Tipton.

I met Ron Tipton about 3 months ago. Ron wanted music on his blog. Ron's related to Billy. After e-mailing back and forth, I learned much about the life of this musician. I needed to create a blog and musical play-list that would honor all those night-club musicians who are up until those wee hours; eating irregular meals, and traveling around the country to 'make music' for the rest of us to enjoy. I have a deep respect for those traveling prophets of song; the ones who help me burn that mid-night oil ever so easily are not only on the http://billytipton.blogspot.com, but if you'll CLICK BILLY'S RECORD ALBUM, you'll be able to do a little 'grooving with Grover & Gato' as I am right now. Diane

Are you ever looking for songs? Looking for lyrics to those songs? Looking for new musicians?

If you click this BLUEBIRD'S PICTURE, you'll find an "A" - "Z" list of the latest albums (or old ones too), and lyrics. Have fun....

If you like to read web-sites and blogs, use this link to a full library!

What makes it convenient is it's organized into topics - A-Z; very easy to choose what you want to know more about. One thing's certain, it's better than watching television!

Oh yes, something I noticed as I was saying 'blah, blah', blah' out loud - say 'blah' and then do a 'guh' = blog! So much for my rambling, right?

I love history; strong women we should admire - here's one...

In a train wreck in 1901, Annie suffered a spinal injury that required five operations and even left her partially paralyzed for a while. Although she recovered very well, Annie toured less frequently during the latter part of her career. Nonetheless, her shooting expertise did not wane and she continued to set records. In a shooting contest in Pinehurst, N.C. in 1922, sixty-two-year-old Annie hit 100 clay targets straight from the 16 yard mark.

Annie Oakley died of pernicious anemia on Nov. 3, 1926, in Greenville, Ohio, at the age of sixty-six. A legend in her own time, the remarkable life of Annie Oakley would be celebrated in the 1946 Herbert and Dorothy Fields musical Annie Get Your Gun.

In her life, Annie over-came poverty, mistreatment and physical injury with her determination and strength of character. She played a role in breaking barriers for women with her talent and accomplishments in her sport. She showed great compassion and generosity to orphans, widows and other young women.

DATE OF DEATH: Nov. 3, 1926, age 66.

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH...

Tried a new shampoo; changed the filter in the shower-head (hard water - hard head).

Made up my home-made batch of 'Kahlua' (we like it 'My Way'). You can find recipes for it; just use real strong coffee (brewed - no instant). Put in about 1/3 of the sugar all the recipes will tell you to add. Put in vanilla extract 'to taste'; a tiny bit of kosher salt, and add vodka 'to suit'.

Then make up lots of ice cubes; fill up a big glass - in goes the 'brew', and pour slowly, half and half or heavy cream. Do not stir - let it 'roll up and over your tongue'. So good...

Made a cucumber/apple-juice/celery drink; a bit of kosher salt, and celery salt. Super cooling on this 116 degree hot day in the desert.

Showed my daughter-in-law hot to 'kill ants' quick and cheaply. Rubbing alcohol and ammonia (equal parts) - dead! Another way is vinegar and salt; 'pickled ants'. It kills about 90% of any 'bug', and doesn't pollute a darned thing.

Sketched butterflies; then photographed. Put onto the computer - printed (beautifully), then cut them out, and inserted each into a large paper clip. My now don't those many pieces of paper look pretty?

Whoops! I forgot - I make up this great simple dressing for salads. Some Orange Marmelade; a bit of lemon juice, and then lots of rice-wine vinegar. It really brightens up any salad - bar none.

Salmon? Yes - in 5 minutes any piece of salmon can be rendered beautiful if you use the microwave; douse it with BEER; your favorite spices (mine are lemon pepper and a wee bit of garlic), then make sure you blast it with a little sweet vermouth in the last 45 seconds of cooking. You get a 'sweet' over-tone, with the basic goodness of a wonderful fish that is good for you.

Breakfast - break the fast with something other than the 'traditional'. Fruits - your favorite. Veggies - yup; some spinach with an egg - then cottage cheese. You put a pile of spinach into a baking dish - cover with 1 to 3 eggs, then some cottage cheese, a healthy sprinkle of parmesaean cheese, and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Delicious!

Cobb salad for lunch! For dinner - a nice piece of fish/chicken/beef/pork - tons of fresh salad greens and tomatoes/cukes, and you're going to keep that healthy weight as well as the beautiful figure.....

Do you like to 'network'? Do you own your own business?

I'm the oldest of the 5 children; started my own business in 1980. The 'bug' caught on - now my 3 sisters, and one brother all own their own businesses - they simply don't like the corporate 8 to 5.... My daughter broke away from that 2 years ago. One of sons broke away from that in 1991... We're kind of a group of 'independents', and we love the freedom it affords. Anyway, these two links have been beneficial for networking and advertising as an individual business owner. I figured I'd share them here:

Craigslist posts - a good place to 'chit-chat', and make friends that might end up helping you net-work to some income (full or part-time).

Backpage.com posts — backpage is kind of like CL, but you can pay to be a sponsor and to automatically repost your ad.

I love to cook - this is a web-site I visit often.

Quite a few people have asked me how I eat without many teeth.

Some of my family and friends know that the 2 dentists I've gone to, simply can't seem to 'get it right' when it comes to partials.

Okay, I think it's fair when my mother tells me how I was 'dragged through' the birth canal in such a way that my head was 'skewed'; the jaw was never quite right, and the alignment of my teeth is questionable, no wonder the dentists are having trouble.

Anyway, we keep trying, and I keep coping.

I thought I'd share the info' on how I avoid paying almost $15,000 to get the 'very best of replaced teeth'.

How do I live/eat to stay alive, and post my 'stuff' on my blogs?

Breakfast: Eggs! Poached/scrambled - over easy. It works. There's my protein. I drink grapefruit juice - that works. I grab a few grapes, and top it off with vegetable juice - I'm good to go and no 'chewing allowed'.

Dinner: Any kind of soup that I can quickly swallow; no real chomping power required. Chunks of cheese give me my protein. A glass of vegetable juice; some applesauce - a few bananas, and a big bowl of blackberries, and I'm in great shape.

I make home-made beans and pork; easy to eat, and filled with protein.

Oatmeal with yogurt and applesauce stirred in - super good.

Pickled beets and cranberry sauce with applesauce stirred in - lots of antioxidants.

I love avocadoes - nuf said on that one.

Tuna salad; chicken salad with cottage cheese and sliced tomatoes and I'm good to go.

I make up home-made fruit cocktail. Blackberries; peaches, grapes - red grapefruit slices, and bananas. Put red grapefruit juice in all of that - a bit of lemon juice, and a tad bit of salt = terrific.

You can put a big 'glob' on top of cottage cheese so you get your protein, and 'suck it down'.

I blend up a cucumber; about 6 stalks of celery - some apple juice; a tiny bit of salt, and celery salt - refreshing; low-caloried, and so cooling to the taste.

I can add more 'dishes' later, but suffice to say after nearly 3 months of having no 'back teeth' to masticate, I've kept my weight called 'slender', and my energy at about the age of 45 years of age, and I'm nearly 66 years old.

If you want to know more about how I've accomplished maintaining my weight, and the music I use to exercise to, visit my blog that's listed on the side-bar at the bottom of this site.

As Jesus said: "Your words, not mine"...

Are supplies disrupted, or is the high price a reflection of oil company greed or OPEC greed. Are Chavez and the Saudis conspiring against us?

In my opinion, the two biggest factors in oil’s high price are the weakness in the US dollar’s exchange value and the liquidity that the Federal Reserve is pumping out. The dollar is weak because of large trade and budget deficits, the closing of which is beyond American political will.

As abuse wears out the US dollar’s reserve currency role, sellers demand more dollars as a hedge against its declining exchange value and ultimate loss of reserve currency status.In an effort to forestall a serious recession and further crises in derivative instruments, the Federal Reserve is pouring out liquidity that is financing speculation in oil futures contracts.

Hedge funds and investment banks are restoring their impaired capital structures with profits made by speculating in highly leveraged oil future contracts, just as real estate speculators flipping contracts pushed up home prices. The oil futures bubble, too, will pop, hopefully before new derivatives are created on the basis of high oil prices.

There are other factors affecting the price of oil. The prospect of an Israeli/US attack on Iran has increased current demand in order to build stocks against disruption.

No one knows the consequence of such an ill-conceived act of aggression, and the uncertainty pushes up the price of oil as the entire Middle East could be engulfed in conflagration.

However, storage facilities are limited, and the impact on price of larger inventories has a limit. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi recently stated, “There is no justification for the current rise in prices.” What the minister means is that there are no shortages or supply disruptions. He means no real reasons as distinct from speculative or psychological reasons.

The run up in oil price coincides with a period of heightened US and Israeli military aggression in the Middle East. However, the biggest jump has been in the last 18 months.

When Bush invaded Iraq in 2003, the average price of oil that year was about $27 per barrel, or about $31 in inflation adjusted 2007 dollars. The price rose another $10 in 2004 to an average annual price of $42 (in 2007 dollars), another $12 in 2005, $7 in 2006, and $4 in 2007 to $65.

But in the last few months the price has more than doubled to about $135. It is difficult to explain a $70 jump in price in terms other than speculation. Oil prices have been high in the past. Until 2008, the record monthly oil price was $104 in December 1979 (measured in December 2007 dollars).

Lt Howard Lobo and crew joined the 458th Bomb Group as one of the early replacement crews to supplement losses sustained in the 755th Squadron during March and April.

Unfortunately their time with the group was cut tragically short when, on only their second mission, they collided with another 458th B-24 named Briney Marlin during assembly over the North Sea on May 27, 1944.

This aircraft was flown by Lt Lester Martin and the officers of his crew. The enlisted men on Briney Marlin were all seasoned veterans from other crews who were put together for this mission.

This was Martin's first mission.Pilot Raymond Hemrich was flying on the right wing of the lower left element:

"I seen two ships hit but only got a glance as I was busy. It seemed the wing of one ship hit the other on the tail section or that he drug his tail across the wing. I seen the tail section start to bend to one side and [then] come completely off.

The ship started a slow spiral dive to the left and passed on our left side. The tail element seemed to fall apart and passed close over the top of our ship. My men watched the damaged ship until it disappeared thru the clouds and reported seeing no one bail out."

The bodies of two men, Toivo Maki and William Fitzgerald were washed ashore, but the eight others were never found. Two men on Briney Marlin were also lost. Immediately after the collision, pilot Martin rang the bail out bell.

The engineer, S/Sgt Chester Carlstrum, jettisoned the bomb load and followed the bombs out through the bomb bay. Tail gunner S/Sgt Wilbert Abshire, despite other crewmen in the tail urging him not to jump, bailed out as well.

Possibly due to the lightened load after the bombs had been released, Martin discovered he had some measure of control and rescinded his bail out order. He was able to make it back to Horsham St Faith and landed the aircraft without further damage or loss to the crew.

How I'll keep my 'blah blah' to a MINIMUM

At the bottom of this blog, is my first entry. I'll add to that entry - noting the date. There won't be archives. There won't be 'searches' to match topics. I'll put a bit in that first entry; then I'll 'clean it out', just like I do my house. The way I see it: "Who cares, but me and a few friends and family!" So, that's how it works. The poems and links 'stay put' - I like them...

When I go 'bumming around on the I-net', this is where I visit:

Pandora: Custom online radio stations built around an artist, style or song. You name it! Great for writing and working. I have it, but I like my play-lists better because I can pick and choose each and every song, instead of having an entire album played at a time (sometimes I don't like all the songs).

It's impossible I say to myself....

I'm almost 66 years old; my husband is 73. We were watching BIRD-CAGE which I really like (my husband not so much).

Up pops this 'ad'/info' at the bottom of the t.v. screen. It is telling me WHY Robin Williams made this movie. It is telling me WHEN Robin realized he should make this movie. It is telling me WHERE Robin got his 'info' as to HOW to make this movie....

Then it tells me where I can buy the DVD.

Then it seems to prompt me to get up and get really 'bothered' about for or against, 'gay people'.

It wants money! What in God's name is t.v. doing now!!!!

Let's see, I was in market research. If I buy the DVD, and they compute the number of sales, they'll conclude there is a 'trend' towards for (or against) gay relationships!

If I don't buy the DVD, they won't give a flying F#$&*(!

It's all about the 'money honey'. Then I watch a commercial for gasoline reduction costs; buy 'my car', and save on fuel expenses.

I'm going to stop right now lest I get really crazy about this entire thing called 'how to win friends; influence people, and rip them from their last available dollar'!

Now try keeping me 'dazed and confused', when I switch channels, and on my local station #17, I get Ben Affleck talking in Spanish, and George Carlin replying in Spanish so I have 'no clue' as to what's being said because I don't speak Spanish. I guess I shouldn't get upset because my daughter-in-law is from Mexico, and she reminds me that her parents like those channels because it's easier for them to understand the shows when they're produced in their native language. Well I agree with that, but aren't there quite a few other nationalities in our country, who don't speak English or Spanish, and I don't find any t.v. channels 'devoted' to their language...

Then to really frustrate me, trying to add this page element/remark, took me 8 attempts - what's up with Google lately. I keep getting 'error messages', and told 'try again later'.

Since the blog service is free, I'm dealing with it. Because I pay for television, and find it is more of a selling mechanism, than anything else, I'm seriously thinking of canceling the service.

We trimmed back to the basic service. We get 67 channels. Out of 67 channels, about 7 are worth watching. The rest have nothing but old re-runs; programs that feature crime and violence - a few 'reality shows' that are junk, and talk shows that are often inflammatory and worthless.

I gave away our television set in 1969 - didn't have one in my home until 2000 when my husband insisted upon having that confounded thing. I know I can turn it off - I do, in fact I LEAVE IT OFF, but the few times I turn it on when I just want to see if anything has changed, invariably I hit the 'on' button and get a commerical. I click along - commercial after commercial, and notice that any show I try to watch that lasts 30 minutes, has about 12 minutes of commericals.